By Brittney Cook, Anthony Uy, George Pardon
In September, a GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds to hire an attorney to file an injunction against the city of Cypress to prevent the city from opening Lexington Park unless significant operational changes are made that will prioritize access and use of the entire park for Cypress residents.
As we all know, attorneys and court costs are expensive. To date, almost $4,000 of the $11,000 needed has been raised. Many thanks to those who have contributed. Unfortunately, time is running out. If the needed funds aren’t raised by the end of October, the effort will be abandoned.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/make-lexington-park-a-public-use-park
If you would prefer to write a check or give cash or if you have any questions, please email fixlexingtonpark@gmail.com.
The Cypress City Council and City Manager have ignored citizen input and concerns over and over again for issue after issue. Help us stop them from further damaging our neighborhoods.
In a letter recently sent to the city alleging that Cypress is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act, there is a quote that was made by Mayor Jon Peat earlier this year. Mayor Peat is quoted saying: “I don’t believe it is our responsibility to ensure access or success to any particular group.” Access to the soccer fields in the new park, however, will provide access and success to any group or individual that can afford to ‘pay to play’.
During a City Council workshop in May, Mayor Peat made the point that ‘We are building a really fantastic asset and that’s what we should be charging for.’ The City Manager said: ‘We live in a world where recreation users are willing to spend money in exchange for value.’ He also said ‘We dream of a world where there is a professional or collegiate soccer or lacrosse team that is a regular presence during the weekday to practice or train.’
Please consider donating. If you donate and we don’t raise the money we need, you will get your donation back.
In the words of author Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’
Thank you.